Washington, D.C. (January 16, 2025) — The NEA Foundation announced today the establishment of a new partnerships between Coahoma Community College and NEA Foundation-supported community schools in the Quitman County School District and the Clarksdale Municipal School District. This collaboration aims to advance opportunity and equity in the historically underserved Mississippi Delta region.
Since launching its Community Schools Initiative in 2019, The NEA Foundation has worked closely with public schools across the Deep South to expand opportunities for student success through authentic, community-driven partnerships. In the Mississippi Delta region, chronically underfunded public schools, limited access to educational resources, and high rates of childhood poverty have created systemic barriers to student success and economic mobility. Currently, 24.2 percent of Mississippi residents have a bachelor’s degree, compared to the national average of nearly 35 percent[1]. This statistic not only reflects the need for more accessible pathways to higher education in Mississippi and the Deep South at large, but also illustrates one of many inequities plaguing the region. Notably, Mississippi also has second highest poverty rate in the United States, following only Puerto Rico[2].
The new partnership between Coahoma Community College and two Mississippi school districts are the latest development in the community schools strategies of the Quitman County School District and the Clarksdale Municipal School District. This collaboration will provide students and educators in K-12 schools with increased access to critical resources that support a pathway to higher education, including mentorship, college readiness initiatives, and skills development. Furthermore, the partnership will provide undergraduate and graduate scholars specializing in education with opportunities to work with local public schools, gaining valuable hands-on experience and building relationships at the community level.
“This collaboration highlights the power of educational institutions working together to uplift all students and challenge systemic inequities in education and opportunity,” said President and CEO of The NEA Foundation Sara A. Sneed. “By partnering with the Quitman County and Clarksdale Municipal school districts, Coahoma Community College is strengthening the support network for students in the Mississippi Delta region, ensuring they have access to the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to thrive.”
“This partnership represents a transformative leap forward for our institution and underscores our commitment to educational excellence and community engagement,” said President of Coahoma Community College Dr. Valmadge T. Towner. “By combining our strengths with those of our partners, we are setting a new standard for what can be achieved in higher education and community development.”
This initiative builds on The NEA Foundation’s ongoing commitment to promoting educational justice in the Deep South. In addition to its support of community schools in the Mississippi Delta region, the Foundation provides funding, technical assistance, and coaching to a growing network of community schools spanning Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
About The NEA Foundation
The NEA Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting justice, opportunity, equity, and excellence in public education. Through advocacy, research, and partnerships, The NEA Foundation works to ensure that all students have access to high-quality educational experiences they need to become informed, empathetic, and engaged citizens vital to a thriving democracy. For more information, visit www.neafoundation.org.
[1] U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: Mississippi. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/MS/PST045223.
[2] Benson, Craig. (September 2024). Poverty in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2023. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Briefs (ACSBR-022). Retrieved from https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/acsbr-022.pdf.
